Marina Ortiz was born in Bogotá, Colombia, on Dec. 7, 1934, to Pedro Pablo Sanchez and Isabel Badillo de Sanchez. She grew up in a lively, boisterous home with eight siblings. After high school, Marina worked as an office clerk at Empresa Colombiana de Gas where she was known for her infectious enthusiasm. She was the instigator of office pranks and was known as the life of every party. During her 20s, Marina was also an accomplished bowler who won numerous trophies and a city championship.

In the early 1960s, she emigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago near a sibling who had also emigrated. In time, other siblings and her mother would join them. Marina worked at various companies, including Benefit Trust Life Insurance Co. in suburban Chicago. She married Gabriel Ortiz in 1964 at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. The two had met earlier in Bogotá. Marina continued to bowl with her company teams and friends. She enjoyed every aspect of art and spent years painting in watercolor and acrylic mediums. She sent hand-painted Christmas cards to family and friends for many years.
Marina and Gabriel moved to Seminole, Florida, in 1992. Together they operated a dry cleaning business. Later, she worked for the  Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in Largo. She and her husband were married 53 years.
Marina is survived by her son Mario and daughter-in-law Jennifer Hicks, both of Chicago; brother Dr. Francisco Sanchez and wife Chela of Fort Myers; brother Jose Maria Sanchez of Bogotá, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Many friends and family members will miss Marina's sharp wit, playful and mischievous sense of humor, her deep affection for her family, and her dedication to her husband and son.
Donations may be made to: Suncoast Hospice Foundation
5771 Roosevelt Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33760
https://suncoasthospice.org/donate/

Services are Dec. 1, 2023 at 1 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Church (Chapel) 11565 66th Ave. N. Seminole, FL